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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,540 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4868 Posts |
Looking through the coin listings on ebay, it is interesting to see how many sellers put little effort into their listings. So many have crappy photos. I am sure they can see the photos are blurry and not detailed and its like why bother posting them if your not going to make them clear for potential buyers? Could it be laziness or are they trying to hide something by NOT making it clear? Also I find in deplorable when sellers use stock photos rather than the exact photo of what your buying. I have heard lots of explanations...like "photo is representative of what you will receive" or "I have too many listings to make photos of everything", etc.... |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1222 Posts |
Sadly I have to agree. I just roll past most listings because of this very problem.
I'm ok with the casual seller not having the equipment or knowledge to post great pictures but anyone selling all the time there's no excuse.
Cheers, Bill
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Pillar of the Community
United States
500 Posts |
One of my pet peeves also when trying to shop on the bay. I don't understand why some sellers don't take more pride in their listings.
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Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
I really don't know. I know that it isn't always easy to get a good pic so I suppose that some people just give up trying.
I am more curious as to why anybody would buy something that didn't have a proper photo.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
Quote:
I really don't know. I know that it isn't always easy to get a good pic so I suppose that some people just give up trying. I somewhat disagree here.. It's not difficult to get decent enough pictures for ebay. Actually it's easy to get acceptable pictures for the items your selling. I actually don't trust nor do I bid on items that are blurry or just plain bad pictures, unless... in the case of just bad pictures I can take them into photoshop and do a little editing to see if I can eek out a better idea of what the coin looks like. more often than not I just pass those auctions by where not enough effort was given to posting a decent picture and for those that are blurry, I don't even stop to look... JMHO |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2781 Posts |
If it's a coin dealer / collector with blurry pics I tend to stay away, If it's a non-collector / non-dealer then I tend to gamble, and have gotten more than a few nice surprises  Edited by Wade
11/16/2015 11:46 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
I agree with Wade. After trying to take pictures of coins, and going through the learning process, I am able to see good coins through some bad pics. I have took a shot at some, and if they are better than the pics, you can get a good deal. But you are taking a risk, and I don't do it with coins costing 10's of dollars, normally a .99 wheat or similar.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4868 Posts |
I like to have a good look at what I am buying. It seems foolish buying blindly. In the past I have got burned on listings with "stock photos".
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Moderator
 United States
188560 Posts |
The primary reason I prefer coin shows is that I cannot trust the photos.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4868 Posts |
Sometimes its a drag being in a fairly rural area. I don't really have access to LCS or coin shows w/o having to travel a significant distance.
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Moderator
United States
188560 Posts |
Just a thought, but you could just make trips to two coin shows each year because that is all I attend now. With some planning you can make the time spent worthwhile. I certainly find it more rewarding than combing over auctions.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4868 Posts |
I would just be worried that dealers at these shows would take me for a sap. I had some not so good experiences when I was a teen at coins shows. They seemed more interested in making the "big" sales while I felt ignored.
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
Even with good images on ebay there is always the risk of them being "Doctored" to hide Cleaning  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
As has been mentioned, many sellers who inherited coins or decided to sell something they collected eons ago don't take the best pictures because they really do not know how. Some don't even know of such a thing as a macro setting, let alone what lighting you need, etc. Those that are making one time sales, or are attempting to sell a specific group simply may not have ever needed to know how to take photos of small items. Plus, since so many photos are taken with a cell phone, their will always be those sellers who honestly try to take decent pictures but can't figure out how. They provide the best they can and hope you can see what they have. Also, as has been mentioned, those photos that are blurry or nearly impossible to see sometimes do add an element of gambling which some find attractive. From my own experience, you'll get burned 19 times out of 20 if you think that your are going to steal something nice because no one else wants to bid on a cruddy pictured coin. As has always been true, a greedy person is ALWAYS the easiest to fleece. Thinking you MIGHT get a $100 coin for $2 doesn't pay off. It just doesn't. HOWEVER, I've had several occasions when I've been interested in coins with bad pictures and have ASKED the seller for better pictures and received them. In many cases those better pictures are viewed by few and do offer some fine bargains. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3161 Posts |
 Bingo! Give them man a cigar. Never hurts to ask for a better picture and who knows, you might just get lucky! Great answer...  |
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Moderator
United States
188560 Posts |
Quote:
I would just be worried that dealers at these shows would take me for a sap. I had some not so good experiences when I was a teen at coins shows. They seemed more interested in making the "big" sales while I felt ignored. I never have a problem. These dealers know their competition is just a few steps away. Sure, there are always going to be boneheaded dealers and that might fly in a one horse town, but those types are not going to sell much when there are friendlier dealers nearby. If you are going to travel, make sure you are traveling to a larger show. The more dealers, the better. |
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,540 |
Posted 11/16/2015 11:07 am
